Whatever happens after today doesn't matter for Team USA men's hockey

There isn’t a shadow of a doubt that Canada is better than the U.S. at hockey. Men and women. Front, back, through and through, Canada is better. There’s no shame in admitting that, either. Canada has won two of the past three Olympic tournaments, beating the U.S. in the most recent.

The U.S. is great. Canada is greater.

But here’s the thing: talk of whoever is better on paper flies out the window the second the puck is dropped at the Bolshoy Ice Dome Friday.

Much like the women’s team, the men have a rare opportunity to command the nation’s attention Friday. NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus wants a two-and-a-half hour national holiday for USA-Canada. If the U.S. wins, perhaps the next time around such a request won’t seem quite so jocular.

If they lose — well, hockey goes back to being the littlest brother of major American sports. It’s a feeling U.S. soccer fans can relate to every four years during the World Cup.

Admittedly, American fans just don’t have the same passion for hockey our neighbors to the North do. One reason for that is likely the fact that Canada has a history of soundly beating the U.S. on the international stage. A big win — the biggest win — would be an adrenaline shot into the hearts of dormant American hockey fans.

That’s why this semifinal game is far more important to the U.S. than the gold medal game which follows. A win over Canada for a trip to the final would overshadow a loss, or even a win in a gold medal game against Finland or Sweden.

Today’s big winner:Team USA hockey … again. There isn’t a shadow of a doubt that Canada is (…)

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